“The third match... is also considered a draw! A draw!” The announcement echoed, thick with awkwardness. Lu Xuan remained sprawled on his recliner, utterly unperturbed, as if he had foreseen this exact chaotic outcome. Ye Chen, however, was dumbfounded. A massive wave of realization crashed over him. He had just witnessed the hidden, true nature of his Third Junior Brother. All these days on Azure Mystery Peak, he had been completely fooled by Chen Changsheng's seemingly honest and simple exterior. His Third Junior Brother was truly... the master of the Ultra Low-Profile Path!

Above, the disciples stared at Chen Changsheng, their faces dark with disbelief and frustration. The Sect Master and the assembled Peak Masters looked equally enraged. They had genuinely believed Chen Changsheng would behave himself during the sparring match with Luo Lingkong. After all, the boy had solemnly vowed to let Luo Lingkong unleash his strongest sword strike—only to use it to sabotage Fang Yan! They had all been duped. The Sect Master, who prided himself on his keen judgment honed through decades of navigating the Southern Wilds’ greatest storms, realized he had been completely wrong about this disciple. This Chen Changsheng had ignored the three thousand paths of the Great Dao, choosing instead the crooked path, the Ultra Low-Profile Path, the path less traveled by sane cultivators... He was utterly defeated by the sheer absurdity of it.

The Body Tempering Peak Peak Master and the Sword Peak Peak Master exchanged a look of utter speechlessness. Chen Changsheng had managed to take down both Fang Yan and Luo Lingkong in a single, shameless stroke. Now Fang Yan was severely injured, and Luo Lingkong’s Dao Heart was teetering on the brink of collapse. They noted a pattern: ever since Lu Xuan started taking disciples, the Grand Dao Sect’s top prodigies had been systematically humiliated. Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen were peerless geniuses, but Chen Changsheng was a genuine freak.

The Ethereal Peak Master’s eyes shimmered. "This Chen Changsheng has certainly opened my eyes," she murmured. Liu Xuan’s graceful body trembled slightly. Thinking of Fang Yan’s misfortune, she felt a wave of sympathy. Chen Changsheng looked so wooden and simple, yet he was so dark inside. Chen Black, she thought. That’s what I’ll call him from now on.

Boom! Boom! Boom! In short order, the Sect Master and the Peak Masters descended from the void, streaks of Divine Arc flashing beneath their feet, surrounding Chen Changsheng. They truly wanted to beat the living daylights out of him! The sheer audacity of his tactics was infuriating!

Chen Changsheng visibly flinched, sending a desperate, pleading look toward his master. He whispered, "Master..."

Lu Xuan’s face twitched. Ah, here we go, he thought internally. Time for the Scapegoat strategy.

The Sect Master’s voice was heavy. "Peak Master Lu, did you teach your third disciple these... methods?"

Lu Xuan rolled his eyes internally. How the hell could I teach him to be this low-profile? When he met Chen Changsheng, the Old Third was already a 'Gou Saint'! He suspected that only he, Lu Xuan, could keep Chen Changsheng in check in the entire Southern Wilds. Nevertheless, he had to defend his disciple.

"This," Lu Xuan stated casually, "is a combat style tailor-made for Changsheng by that magnate."

Chen Changsheng froze. Ye Chen stared blankly.

The Sect Master and the others paused, their expressions softening slightly. If the method originated from a supreme magnate, they certainly couldn't criticize it. Lu Xuan continued, leaning into the dramatic irony. "Changsheng has poor talent and low cultivation. When facing opponents, he can only rely on these means to win. He has suffered greatly these past few years."

Chen Changsheng immediately adopted a look of profound sorrow, his face etched with the weariness of ages. The Sect Master and the Peak Masters instantly felt a pang of sympathy. Although they knew nothing of Chen Changsheng's past, his face seemed to tell a thousand tragic tales. Alas... it seems this personality was not formed in a single day.

The Sect Master gently patted Chen Changsheng’s shoulder, speaking earnestly. "Changsheng, while these 'side paths' may grant temporary victory, they are still 'side paths'! You must focus on raising your true cultivation!"

Chen Changsheng nodded seriously. "Sect Master, I understand. So, are the other True Disciples still interested in sparring?"

Upon hearing this, the top True Disciples hovering in the sky slowly backed away. Spar? Are you kidding me? This Junior Brother Chen Changsheng was beyond low-profile—he was a menace! This kind of sparring was pointless. Even if the Sect Master forbade him from using the Formation Plate, who knew what other ridiculous item he would pull out? What if, in the middle of a fight, he suddenly produced a Wolf-Tooth Club and stabbed them? That was exactly the kind of thing Junior Brother Chen Changsheng seemed capable of doing!

With that thought in mind, the True Disciples smiled awkwardly. "Junior Brother Chen Changsheng, no more sparring for today... We won't be challenging you again in the future!"

This junior brother needed to be avoided at all costs! Seeing this, Chen Changsheng knew his goal was achieved. He had secured his peace. He had traded his reputation for solitude—a worthy exchange. He hadn't lost anything, and arguably, neither had his senior siblings.

Just then, a series of pained groans drifted up from the ground nearby. "Ugh..." "Ouch..."

Everyone looked down. It was Fang Yan, writhing in pain!

The Body Tempering Peak Peak Master sighed deeply, waving his sleeve toward the sky. "Carry him away." Why does this scene feel so familiar? he lamented internally. What a calamity! This was the third time this exact scenario had played out before him, and every single time, the culprit was one of Lu Xuan's disciples!

Immediately, several Body Tempering Peak disciples rushed down to help Fang Yan up. Fang Yan cried out in agony, gritting his teeth. "Damn you, Junior Brother Chen Changsheng! I only said a few things about you, why did you hit me so hard?"

Chen Changsheng replied weakly, "Senior Brother Fang Yan, don't talk nonsense! I didn't attack you! Wasn't it Senior Brother Luo Lingkong who injured you?"

Fang Yan glared at Luo Lingkong nearby. "Luo Lingkong! I swear, I’m done with you. Junior Brother Chen Changsheng was clearly setting a trap, why didn't you use your brain?! Didn't you always claim to be ten thousand times smarter than me? How could you fall for such a simple trick?"

Luo Lingkong remained silent. He lay on the ground, his face utterly devoid of life. He had lost again! He had lost in a completely different, more humiliating way. He had been tricked. Was there truly a flaw in his Life-and-Death Sword Art? His Dao Heart was on the verge of shattering. He just wanted peace.

At that moment, several Body Tempering Peak disciples brought out a stretcher and lifted Fang Yan onto it. One whispered, "Senior Brother Fang Yan, luckily we didn't throw this stretcher away. We actually needed it again today!" This moment, right now, is exactly like that moment, before! Fang Yan was so furious his chest heaved. He ground his teeth. "You talk too much!"

The other disciples quickly chastised the speaker. "Junior Brother, just keep quiet. Who knows, this stretcher might still be useful in the future."

Fang Yan let out a primal roar. "Agh!" He wanted to hit someone! As they carried him away, Fang Yan continued to howl in pain. "Hey, slow down! You're hurting me!" The disciples apologized sheepishly. "Senior Brother, we'll go slower."

The onlookers in the sky watched with complicated expressions. What a mess this had become... Yet, Lu Xuan's disciples maintained an undefeated record against Liu Xuan, Luo Lingkong, and Fang Yan. It was utterly ridiculous! They couldn't help but wonder: was Lu Xuan going to take a fourth disciple? If he did, no one would dare challenge Azure Mystery Peak again! Chen Changsheng had completely subdued them all.

Nearby, the Sword Peak Peak Master approached Luo Lingkong, gently lifting him with a wave of his sleeve. "Lingkong, come back to Sword Peak with me for now."

Luo Lingkong's eyes were vacant. He was drowning in self-doubt. He felt that the disciples of Azure Mystery Peak were his natural enemies!

Soon, the Peak Masters and disciples departed, all filled with emotion. "What a truly satisfying sparring session!" "My Junior Brother is simply too steady!" "The Ultra Low-Profile Path... From now on, I'd rather provoke Lu Xuan than Chen Changsheng... No, wait, Lu Xuan is also untouchable!" They had truly learned a lesson today!

Liu Xuan, stepping gracefully on petals of brilliant divine radiance, suddenly glanced back at Chen Changsheng. She offered a charming smile. "Junior Brother Chen Changsheng. Perhaps you shouldn't worry about what others think. Taking a 'side path' is not necessarily a good thing!"

Chen Changsheng bowed deeply, as if he had found a true kindred spirit. "Thank you, Senior Sister Liu Xuan."

Liu Xuan smiled alluringly and floated away.

Before long, everyone had left, and Azure Mystery Peak fell silent. The shock on Ye Chen’s face still hadn’t faded. He scrutinized Chen Changsheng. "Third Junior Brother, are you hiding something from Master and me?"

Chen Changsheng replied humbly, "Just a few minor trump cards, Second Senior Brother. Nothing worth mentioning, truly nothing worth mentioning!"

Ye Chen let out a long breath. He looked at Chen Changsheng with earnest respect. "Third Junior Brother, since Master approves of your 'Path,' then you should stick to it. After all, Master once said: 'Walk your own path, let others talk.'"

Lu Xuan, who was listening, blinked. Wait, when the hell did I say that? This kid, Ye Chen, was starting to make things up now.

Chen Changsheng nodded. "Understood, Second Senior Brother. Master also said: 'In all things, if you're shameless, you win.'"

Lu Xuan: "???" What the hell? These two disciples are just making up quotes on the spot!

Ye Chen said, "Third Junior Brother, you must be tired after that battle today. I'll make dinner."

"Sounds good," Chen Changsheng agreed.

Ye Chen immediately entered the thatched hut and started cooking. He tried to emulate Lu Xuan, gazing at the clouds in the distance, hoping to enter that lazy state of 'Body in Harmony with the Dao,' but he couldn't feel anything. It was too difficult to achieve!

Chen Changsheng turned to Lu Xuan. "Master, what is the secret to achieving 'Body in Harmony with the Dao' just by lying down?"

Lu Xuan frowned slightly. What 'Body in Harmony with the Dao'? I'm just sleepy... Nonetheless, Lu Xuan casually recited a short, Zen-like poem, allowing Chen Changsheng to 'comprehend' its meaning.

"White clouds drift with the wind,

The heart is empty, the body at ease.

The recliner is not a pedestal,

Where can dust alight?"

Chen Changsheng was stunned. How profoundly mysterious! Master’s words perfectly articulated the return to the original state of mind and how to achieve inner clarity. He began to savor the meaning. Chen Changsheng promptly pulled a recliner from his Storage Ring and lay down beside Lu Xuan.

Moments later, Ye Chen emerged, carrying steaming hot dishes. He was astonished. "Third Junior Brother, why are you lying down?"

Yinzhou (Fallen State), Heavenly Net Hall Branch.

"Report!" A black-robed Great Emperor rushed into the main hall, bowing respectfully to Grand Elder Gu Lang. "Grand Elder! Ji Fuyao has appeared in Fangzhou! Three One-star Great Emperors ambushed her, but they failed!"

Grand Elder Gu Lang sat upon a high platform, his expression grave, his eyes deep and calculating. "Failed? Did Ji Fuyao manage to escape?"

The black-robed Great Emperor shook his head. "Ji Fuyao did not escape. She annihilated all three One-star Great Emperors!"

Gu Lang frowned slightly. "Explain."

"Ji Fuyao wielded a Six-star Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, and engaged the three Great Emperors," the subordinate reported. "Although she sustained minor injuries, she ultimately killed our three Great Emperors! We are unsure why no Four-star or higher-star Great Emperors intervened this time!"

Gu Lang, far from being alarmed, was delighted. He asked, "If I am not mistaken, the Grand Dao Sect and that magnate on Azure Mystery Peak allowed Ji Fuyao to leave, signaling their approval for her to Re-establish the Fuyao Dynasty. This was a test for Ji Fuyao."

The black-robed Great Emperor looked confused. "Grand Elder, are you saying you saw through their plan?"

Gu Lang’s eyes flashed with cunning, displaying the look of a master strategist. "If my analysis is correct, the Grand Dao Sect has assumed that our Heavenly Net Hall dares not deploy high-star Great Emperors! Now that Ji Fuyao can kill One-star Great Emperors, the Grand Dao Sect showed no reaction to our ambush. In fact, the Grand Dao Sect views this as a form of training for Ji Fuyao!"

"Furthermore, the Grand Dao Sect is waiting to see our response! If we immediately send out high-star Great Emperors, the Grand Dao Sect will surely intervene. We must exploit this psychological advantage! We will use the strategy of 'playing hard to get'!"

The black-robed Great Emperor asked, utterly bewildered, "Grand Elder, what is your intention?"

Gu Lang stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "My order is this: continue to ambush Ji Fuyao along her route, but only deploy low-star Great Emperors to test her combat strength! The Grand Dao Sect wants to train Ji Fuyao? We will play along. Once Ji Fuyao is complacent and her guard is down, we will launch a sudden, decisive strike!"

The black-robed Great Emperor was speechless. Psychological warfare! Brilliant! Gu Lang’s lips curled into a smirk. "The Grand Dao Sect has become overly arrogant since the battle in Cloud State. The Hall Master chose not to annihilate Tianxing Old Ancestor because even if he succeeded, he would be severely wounded, which would invite attacks from other Overlord-level Powers. The Grand Dao Sect mistakenly believes our Heavenly Net Hall is afraid! Thus, while the Cloud State battle appeared to be a loss for us, we lost nothing of true value!"

The black-robed Great Emperor couldn't help but show his admiration. He hadn't expected the Grand Elder to have the entire situation under control!

"Is Ji Fuyao currently heading toward the Blackflame Mountain Range?" Gu Lang asked.

"Indeed," the subordinate confirmed. "We have secretly destroyed the large-scale teleportation arrays along the route. It will take Ji Fuyao several days to reach the Blackflame Mountain Range!"

Gu Lang chuckled. "Well done! In that case, we should be able to capture her before she even sets foot in the Blackflame Mountain Range!"

Gu Lang slowly rose from his seat, stroking his beard as he looked into the void. "Ji Fuyao, like the Grand Dao Sect, has become afflicted with arrogance! Achieving Nine-star Profound Saint realm and using a Six-star Emperor Weapon to kill three One-star Great Emperors is indeed a glorious achievement! But other top prodigies in the Southern Wilds could also accomplish this!"

"After Ji Fuyao cultivated the Reincarnation Secret Art, she reached Nine-star Profound Saint in just over a decade. It’s inevitable that she would develop an arrogant heart. This cultivation speed is truly astonishing!" The black-robed Great Emperor felt a surge of emotion. "No wonder the Silent Destruction Old Man is so eager for this Supreme Secret Art! After reincarnation, her talent has actually increased, and her cultivation speed has skyrocketed! Fortunately, only our Heavenly Net Hall and the Grand Dao Sect know about this, or many more Overlord-level Powers would join the hunt to capture Ji Fuyao!"

Gu Lang nodded. "Pass down my order: for now, only send One-star and Two-star Great Emperors to test Ji Fuyao's combat strength. Furthermore, investigate whether the Grand Dao Sect has truly failed to send a powerful expert to secretly protect Ji Fuyao!"

Gu Lang produced an Ancient Jade Slip and handed it to the subordinate. "This slip contains an ancient secret art for detection. Any fluctuation of a high-star Great Emperor's aura will be instantly spotted! Pass this technique down."

The black-robed Great Emperor bowed respectfully. "Understood!"

Gu Lang waved his sleeve. "Go!" The black-robed Great Emperor tore through the void and vanished.

Watching his departure, Gu Lang’s eyes gleamed with ambition. He stroked his beard and roared with laughter. "This time, the Heavenly Net Hall will use low-star Great Emperors as bait. Their deaths are inconsequential! The true hunter always appears as the prey. Ji Fuyao's defeat is imminent!"

Hezhou.

Deep within the void, Ji Fuyao, clad in a fiery red dress, floated gracefully as she piloted her Ancient Spirit Boat toward the Blackflame Mountain Range. Two days ago, upon arriving in Hezhou, she quickly discovered that all the large-scale teleportation arrays along the route to the Blackflame Mountain Range had been destroyed. Clearly, the Heavenly Net Hall had made its move.

Ji Fuyao’s eyes gleamed. She knew she would face a continuous stream of ambushes from Heavenly Net Hall Great Emperors. But she was fearless! Wielding the Six-star Emperor Weapon, Heaven-Rending, she could already annihilate One-star Great Emperors. If she unleashed the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame, she could even fight high-star Great Emperors!

Just then, the Transmission Jade Slip in her robe vibrated continuously. She injected her Divine Sense. Soon, the voices of Qing Yan and Wang Man came through. "Empress, we heard you were ambushed by the Heavenly Net Hall in Fangzhou! We are coming to meet you immediately!"

Ji Fuyao tilted her pale neck, shaking her head calmly. "There is no need. I can handle it."

Wang Man sounded excited. "Empress! The news of you single-handedly defeating and killing three One-star Great Emperors has spread across the regions in the past two days. As you instructed, I have secretly released the news of the Re-establishment of the Fuyao Dynasty, and we have already received goodwill from many major powers. They claim they will bring gifts to the grand ceremony!"

Ji Fuyao nodded. "Excellent! The Heavenly Net Hall is rotten to the core; the enemy of our enemy is our friend. We can draw them in. And with my Master backing me, my Fuyao Dynasty no longer needs to hide in the shadows. I will reach the Blackflame Mountain Range in a few days. You should wait for me there."

Qing Yan’s voice was smooth and respectful. "Understood!"

Ji Fuyao put away the Transmission Jade Slip and continued piloting the Ancient Spirit Boat forward.

Meanwhile, hidden in a corner of the Ancient Spirit Boat, Chen Changsheng sat cross-legged, his form concealed. This was one of his Wooden Puppet Clones. Chen Changsheng mused internally, Since Senior Sister can now kill One-star Great Emperors, perhaps I should release a Two-star Great Emperor for her to practice on? After all, Senior Sister also has the Eight Desolations Annihilation Flame; she can fight high-star Great Emperors.

After a moment of consideration, Chen Changsheng decided it was feasible.

Suddenly, Boom! The void tore open, and space twisted violently. Six Great Emperors stepped out of the spatial rift!